Apparatus for conveying and filling containers



March 19, 1963 M. c. KLAPES ETAL APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLINGCONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 28, 1960 INVENTORSCLEVELAND C. KLAPES ERIC 6. MICHAEL BY y r ZM ATTORNEYS March 1963 M. c.KLAPES ET AL 3,081,538

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Original Filed June 28,1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 /44 F G 2 C2 l24- ax 'cFZF 1/44 6 INVENTORS ERIC6. CLEVELAND MICHAEL C. KLAPES BY Mam/2M ATTORNEYS March 19, 1963 M. c.KLAPES ET AL 3,081,588

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Original Filed June 28,1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS m ERlc G. CLEVELAND F I 3 2'62 BYMICHAEL C. KLAPES W MM ATTORNEYS March 19, 1 M. c. KLAPES ETAL APPARATUSFOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original FiledJune 28. 1960 JNVENTORS CLEVELAND ERIC G. MICHAEL C. KLAPES BY W W/ZMATTORNEYS March 19, 1963 M. c. KLAPES 'ET AL APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING ANDFILLING CONTAINERS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 28, 1960 IN VENTORS ERIC G. CLEVELAND BYMICHAEL C. KLAPES ATTORNEYS M. C. KLAPES ET ALMarch 19, 1963 APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS 8Sheets-Sheet 6 Original Filed June 28. 1960 ATTORNEYS March 19, 1963 M.c. KLAPES ET AL 3,081,588

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Original Filed June 28,1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 CFR-S INVENTORS ERIC G. CLEVELAND MICHAEL C.KLAPES ATTORNEYS March ,1963 M. c. KLAPES ET AL 3,031,588

APPARATUS FOR CONVEYING AND FILLING CONTAINERS Original Filed June 28,1960 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 G O O C O C O c 0 Oro g n 8 C m mu. @Ec a 5 LT c=Q c c c Q, c 0 c g c G g 9: N Q C (a R Q n u g g C F .5 "1 v W WWATTORNEYS 9 Claims. (Cl. 53-78) This invention relates to containerconveying and filling apparatus and more particularly to apparatusadapted to simultaneously fill a predetermined number of containers witha predetermined number of articles, with means provided forautomatically removing filled containers and for positioning a new groupof containers for filling as before.

This application is a divisional of our co-pending application SerialNo. 39,297, filed June 28, 1960.

Heretofore many different types of machines have been constructed forthe purpose of handling containers such as bottles and for rapidlyfilling these containers with a predetermined number of articles. Commontypes of articles which have had to be handled are tablets, capsules,and the like. These different kinds of machines, often called countingand filling machines, have generally suffered from certain importantlimitations. First of all, they have been limited to a predeterminedarticle count. In other words, the machine generally has been designedto supply a given number of articles to a container, no more and noless. Another disadvantage has been that these machines generally havebeen unable to handle containers of different sizes. Still anotherlimitation has been that the operation of the machine has had to beterminated while filled bottles were being removed and new bottles werebeing fed into place. Additional limitations, such as lack of accuracy,are well known to persons skilled in the art.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a machine forrapidly filling a plurality of containers with a predetermined number ofarticles which is free of the limitations of machines previouslyavailable for the same purpose.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of the invention willbe readily apparent from the following detailed specification whenconsidered together wi-th the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a bottle filling machineembodying the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a fragmentary side elevation showing certain additionalfeatures omitted from FIG. 1 because of space requirements;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front elevation of the machine of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 1, but with thebottle conveyor assembly shown in crosssection;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view showing how the bottle positioners aremoved laterally;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing certain details of one end of theline selector vane assembly;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of a modified form of bottle spacingassembly;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing additional features as sociated with thebottle spacing assembly of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 9A together illustrate schematically the control systemembodied in the present invention; and

States atcnt O a CC FIGS. 10-13 are diagrammatic plan views illustratingthe operating cycle of the machine.

The present invention is an outgrowth of the invention illustrated anddescribed in Patent No. 2,899,784, issued August 18, 1959, to Eric G.Cleveland, one of the present applicants, and Archibald D. Standley,Jr., for Method and Apparatus for Counting and Packaging Articles.Certain principles involved in the apparatus of said patent are embodiedin the apparatus illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings.

Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the invention comprises anarticle'feeding mechanism which embodies an endless belt 2 which istraveling at relatively high speeds in the direction inidicated by thearrow in FIG. 1. Positioned above the upper run of endless belt 2 is aplurality of pairs of opposed parallel guide members 4 and 6. Theseguide members serve to channel articles which are fed from a feedingunit located upstream of the conveyor belt 2 and which are depositedonto the belt by gravity. The articles are directed onto the belt bymeans of chutes 8, there being one chute for each pair of guide members4 and 6. These chutes 8 are located in front of feed troughs 10 whichreceive articles deposited from a supply hopper 12 and direct themtoward the chutes 8. The chutes or troughs 10 are mounted on vibrators14 which are electrically operated. When these vibrators are inoperation, the troughs '10 are agitated sufficiently to cause thearticles supported thereby to travel toward the chutes 8. Each trough 10has its own vibrator 14.

The guides 4 and 6 are of the kind which are illustrated and describedin the copending patent application of Michael C. Kla-pes, Serial No.787,025, filed January 15, 1959, for Apparatus for Channeling Articles.All of the guides 4 move as a unit with respect to the correspondingguides 6, separation of the guides being controlled by a knob 20 whichincludes a Vernier device (not shown) for indicating exactly the spacingbetween each pair of guides 4 and 6. This apparatus is not claimed to benew by applicants, it being claimed in the foregoing copendingapplication of Michael C. Klapes.

The articles on belt 2 which are channeled between the guides 4 and 6are discharged into a series of compartments '22 each of which is openat its top and bottom ends and includes a batcher vane 24 and a lineselector vane 26. Associated with each compartment and mounted adjacentto the delivery ends of guides 4 and 6 is a plurality of photoelectricdetecting units 30. Each of these photoelectric detecting units 30comprises a photoelectric cell 32 and a light source 34. Light fromlight source 34 is directed toward the photocell 32. The beam of lightfor each unit extends across the freeflight path of articles dischargedfrom conveyor belt 2 toward the particular receptacle associated withthe photoelectric detecting unit. Each time an article interrupts thebeam of light, an output pulse is derived from the photocell 32. Eachphotocell 32 is connected to a counter unit. Details of the counter unitare omitted since such units are well known to persons skilled in theart and also since the counter unit is not claimed to be novel.Accordingly, the counter unit is illustrated only schematically in theelectrical system shown in FIG. 9. This system is more fully describedhereinafter. 1

Each of the vanes 24 is connected to a shaft 40 which is coupled to androtated by a rotary solenoid 44. The vanes 24 occupy one of twoalternate positions. In one position, illustrated in dotted lines inFIG. 2, articles are free to fall through the receptacle. In theopposite posi tion, shown in full lines in FIG. 2, each vane 24 engagesan inclined shoulder 50 which is formed integral with one side wall ofits receptacle 22. In this latter position, each vane 24 preventsarticles from dropping down through the receptacle, the articlesaccumulating on the 3 vane 24 and the shoulder 50. The normal positionof vanes 24 is the dotted line position illustrated in FIG. 2.

The bottom vane 26 in each receptacle is supported by a pair of couplingmembers 56 secured in the side walls of the receptacle. Each coupling56, except the first or leftmost one 56a (FIG. 4) for the firstreceptacle (counting from left to right in FIGS. 2 and 6) is mounted inthe adjacent walls of adjacent receptacles. Each coupling has a key 58at each end. These keys fit in matching keyholes formed in vanes 26. Thekey on the left or upstream end of the first coupling 56a is attached toan arm 60 which is provided with an elongated slot 62 to receive a pin64 which is attached to a bifurcated arm 66. Arm 66 is attached to anelongated piston rod 68 which is part of a fluid-pressure actuatorCPR-6. Fluid-pressure actuator CPR-6 functions to shift all of the vanes26 between two extreme positions. In one position, illustrated in dottedlines FIG. 3, the vanes 26 are inclined toward the front wall of thereceptacles. In the other extreme position, the vanes are slanted towardthe rear wall of the receptacles. It is to be noted that each of thereceptacles is provided at its bottom end with two discharge ports 74and 76. Screwed onto the ends of these discharge ports 74 and 76 areadaptors 78. The function of adaptors 78 is comparable to the functionof a funnel. They act to direct articles falling out of the receptaclesinto a narrow stream for deposition in bottles B located beneath theoutlet ports. When the vanes 26 are in the dotted line positionillustrated in FIG. 3, the articles are discharged through the outlets74, into bottles B1 located on a rear conveyor C1. When the vanes 26 arein the opposite extreme positions, the articles are discharged throughoutlets 76 into bottles B2 located on a front conveyor C2.

The solenoids 44 are operated in response to signals produced byindividual counter units which receive impulses from the photoelectricdetecting units 30. These solenoids act to shift the vanes 24 to theposition illustrated in full lines in FIG. 2 when a predetermined numberof articles have fallen through the receptacles. Thus, for example, iffifty articles are to be supplied to each container B1 or B2, eachbatcher vane 24 will be shifted to the blocking position illustrated inFIG. 2 by its solenoid '44 as soon as the fiftieth pulse from theassociated photoelectric detecting unit has been processed to actuatethe solenoid in question. The line selector vanes 26 necessarilyfunction as a unit. They shift from one line to the other only aftereach of the receptacles has discharged a predetermined number ofarticles.

Turning now in particular to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the two conveyors C1 andC2 are of standard articulated construction, being made up of links 90which are connected by pins 92. Conveyors C1 and C2 operate at aconstant speed and unidirectionally, with the direction of movementbeing from left to right in FIGS. 2 and 6. These conveyors are mountedon conventional sprockets (not shown) which are driven by conventionalmeans from a 7 standard electrical motor (also not shown). Conveyors C1and C2 are spaced from each other by an amount sufficient so that thebottles B1 and B2 which are carried thereon are directly in line withthe two discharge orifices 74 and 76.

Bottles are fed onto the two conveyors C1 and C2 in a steady stream froma supply section (not shown). The bottles ordinarily would travel alongon the conveyor without interruption. However, means are provided forsegregating the bottles in the two lines into groups of predeterminednumber.

Both conveyors are provided with identical means for segregating thebottles into groups. Accordingly, only the stop means associated withthe forward conveyor C2 are shown in FIG. 6. However, the stop meansassociated with the rear conveyor are illustrated diagrammatically inFIGS. 10-13.

Turning now to FIG. 6, there are provided three substantially identicalbottle-stopping units CPI, CF2, and CF3. Stop CPI is located upstream ofstop CFZ by an amount equal to the length of the space occupied by aseries of containers equal in number to the number of receptacles 22.Stop CF2 is always located upstream of the receptacle assembly. Stop CF3is located downstream of stop CF2 by a distance at least equal to thedistance between stops CF1 and CR2. Preferably the positions of allthree stops are adjustable so as to allow for bottles of differentsizes. The stops for the rear conveyors are CR1, CR2, and CR3.

The stop elements are single acting pneumatic actuators which includefingers which are normally retracted within the units but which aremoved to an extended position (see CF2 in FIG. 6) when air is suppliedto the cylinders of the units through suitable inlets. Although notshown, it is to be understood that these units include spring elementswhich normally urge the fingers into the units when no air is applied tothe cylinders. When the fingers are retracted into the units, they areout of the way of bottles on the conveyors. *When they are extended theyobstruct movement of bottles by the conveyors. As explained in moredetail hereinafter, the two rear stops CR1 and CR2 (and similarly thefront stops CFl and C1 2), are operated alternately.

Positioned adjacent the two conveyors C1 and C2 are extensible bottlepositioner assemblies and 112. These bottle positioner assemblies areidentical in construction. FIGS. 2, 3, and 6 illustrate the location andconstruction of these bottle positioners. In view of the fact that thesepositioners are identical, identical numerals are used to designateidentical parts. In addition, for convenience of illustration, certainportions of the rear bottle positioner assembly 110 are omitted.

These bottle positioner assemblies comprise an elongated member 114having an upstanding flange 116 at one edge and a depending flange 118at the opposite edge. Extending through suitable holes formed independing flange 118 adjacent its opposite ends are two shafts 120 and122. Shafts 120 and 122 are mounted for axial movement in suitablebearing blocks 124 and 126. Also helping to support the member 114 onshafts 120 and 122 are two L-shaped bracket members 128 and 136. Thebracket members 123 and 130 are mounted on shafts 120 and 122respectively, as indicated in FIG. 3 with respect to bracket 128. Therear ends of shafts 120 and 122 are connected to lever arms 134 and 136.These lever arms are attached at their top ends to an elongated rod 138.This rod is journaled in suitable upstanding hearing blocks and 142. Thebearing blocks 124, 126, 140, and 142, are all mounted on a suitablehorizontal supporting surface 144. Also mounted on the surface 144 is apressure actuator. The one associated with the rear conveyor C1 isidentified as CR4. The one associated with the front conveyor isidentified as CF4. The piston rods of the pressure actuators CF4 and CR4are secured to angular bracket members 148. These bracket members inturn are secured to the upstanding flanges 116 of horizontal members114. These pressure actuators are double-acting types. When fluidpressure is admitted through one port, the pressure actuators piston rodwill move in one direction; and when fluid pressure is introducedthrough another port, the piston rod will move in the oppositedirection. In this case, Whenthe piston rod moves outward, thehorizontal member 114 will move away from the associated conveyor C1 orC2. For reasons hereinafter set forth, the horizontal member 114 isproperly identified as a carriage since it can move laterally. I

Each carriage 114 carries a fluid pressure actuator of the double-actingtype. The fluid pressure actuator on the rear carriage is identified asCR5, and the one on the front carriage is identified as CFS. Thesepressure actuators have elongated piston rod 154. Mounted on each pistonrod 154 is a plurality of blocks 156. The

block 156 nearest the cylinder of the pressure actuator CPS and CR5 islocked to the cylinder so asto be incapable of relative movement. Thisblock is identified as 156a in FIG. 6. The opposite end block,identified as 15612, is releasably locked to the piston rod 154. Theintermediate blocks 156 are loosely mounted on the piston rod so as tobe capable of slideable motion relative to the piston rod. Each of theseblocks is provided with an up-standing pivot pin 158 which serves toanchor a pair of links 161 and 162. The entire group of links 160 and162 are connected so as to form a lazy tongs assembly. When the pistonrod is extended, the lazy tongs assembly will extend with the rod.Similarly, when the piston rod is retracted into the cylinder, the lazytongs assembly will contract. In addition to forming a pivotalattachment for a pair of links of the lazy tongs assembly, each block156 also supports a laterally extending bottle spacing pin 164. All ofthe pins 164 are identical. Since the blocks 156 will always beregularly spaced with respect to each other, the fingers 164 will alsobe regularly spaced with respect to each other. Similarly, since thespacing of the blocks 156 will vary according to the amount by which thepiston rod protrudes from the cylinder, the spacing of the finger willalso vary according to the length of the projecting part of the pistonrod. The fingers will have minimum spacing when the piston rod isretracted and will have maximum spacing when the piston rod is extended.The piston rod 154 is provided with an adjustable block 166 whichfunctions as a stop for the piston rod. In this connection, it is to benoted that the carriage 114 carries a block 168 through which the pistonrod 154- slidea'bly extends. The stop block 166 engages the block 168when the piston rod is retracted. The position of the block 166 on thepiston rod determines the extent to which the piston rod can beretracted. Of course, the location of block 168 is such that it will notprevent the piston rod from being extended a distance suflicient toallow the fingers 164 to be located on the downstream side ofcompartments 22, as seen in FIG. 2 and also FIG. 6.

Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 9a, there is illustrated an electricalcontrol system for the foregoing apparatus so that it will operate inthe manner hereinafter described. In FIG. 9, only three photocell units3!} are illustrated. However, it is to be understood that the number ofphotocell units will correspond with the number of compartments 22 whichare embodied in the machine. In this case, FIG. 2 indicates sixphotocell units. Therefore, to be complete, FIG. 9 would have toindicate six photocell units. However, since the missing photocell unitswould function in the same manner as the three which are illustrated, itis not required that all of the photocell units be illustrated. Theoutputs from the individual photocell units 30 are applied to individualunit counters 178. The outputs from each unit counter 173 are appliedalong three diflerent paths. One output from each unit counter 1719 isfed to a batcher latching relay 112( which in turn operates a batchervane solenoid 44. \Another output from each unit counter is fed to afeeder latching relay 174 which in turn operates a feeder vibrator 14-.A third output from each unit counter 170 is used to close a normallyopen series switch 176. In FIG. 9, the batcher latching relays, batchervane solenoids, feeder latching relays, and feeder vibrators, are notall shown. Instead, solely the components for the first unit counter areshown. However, it is to be understood that similar components areemployed with respect to the other unit counters. Assuming that eachunit counter is set to a total of fifty articles, each unit counter willproduce an output signal when it has counted fifty articles. As soon asthis occurs, the batcher latching relay associated with a particularcounter wil close, thereby operating the batcher vane solenoid to flipvane 24 to the position illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2. When thisoccurs, no more articles will fall through the receptacle 22 into abottle beneath the receptacle. Instead, additional articles will simplyaccumulate between shoulder 511 and vane 24. Similarly, the output fromthe unit counter will activate the feeder latching relay 17 4 so as tostop the feeder vibrator 14 associated with a particular unit counter.In this way, no additional articles will be fed onto the conveyor belt.As a result, the number of articles which will accumulate on theshoulder 50 of the receptacle in question will be limited to those whichhave already been deposited on the conveyor belt. The switches 176 areconnected in series between a current source 178 and a control relay180. Relay 180 is actuated by the current source when all of theswitches 17 6 are closed. When relay 180 is actuated, it produces anoutput which is used to actuate a time delay relay 132 and also a timerrelay T1. The time delay relay is of the type which operates at apredetermined time interval after the input signal is applied. In thiscase, time delay relay 182 is used to actuate a latching relay 184. Thelatter is of the type which is converted to alternate conditions bysuccessive input pulses.

The output of timer relay T1 is used to operate a feeder reset circuit188 and a control relay 191). The former reactivates all of the feedervibrators 14. The latter actu ates a reset circuit 192 that de-energizesall of the batcher solenoids 44, a reset circuit 1% that resets all ofthe series switches, a latching relay 196, and a second timer relay T2.The signal passed by latching relay 196 is coupled by means of a controlrelay 198 to one of two pairs of contacts 260 and 202 of latching relay18 4. Latching relay 196 has normally open contacts. Relay 198 hasnormally closed contacts. Contacts 290 are open when contacts 202 areclosed, and vice versa. Timer relay T2 produces two outputs. One ofthese outputs is applied to one of two pairs of contacts 204 and 266 oflatching relay 184. Contacts 2194 are open when contacts 206 are closed,and vice versa. The second output is applied to a timer relay T 3. Thelatter has two outputs. One is applied alternately to contacts 298 andcontacts 210 of latching relay 184, the former being open when thelatter are closed, and vice versa; the other output of timer relay T3 isused to actuate relay 198, whereby to open its contacts. When thisoccurs, the latching relay 196 is unlockedthereby restoring it to itsoriginal condition. In addition to the contacts already mentioned, relay184 also includes an additional pair of normally open contacts 212.

Contacts 200 are used to couple a signal to the solenoid of a solenoidair valve SVF-ll. Referring now to FIG. 10, valve SVF-ll controls theapplication of air from a high pressure source P to the front fluidpressure actuator CF 1 which controls movement of the front carriage.Contacts 2112 couple signals to the solenoid of an air valve SVR-I whichcontrols the operation of the rear fluid pressure actuator CF41 thatcontrols movement of the rear carriage.

Contacts 2% control a solenoid air valve SVF3, and contacts 2% control asolenoid air valve SVR-3. The former operates the upstream stops CR1 andCFZ alternately, with one closing as the other opens. The latteroperates alternately the corresponding rear upstream stops CR1 and CR2.Contacts 208 and 211i alternately control solenoid air valves SVF-4 andSVR- t. These valves control the downstream stops CPS and CR3respectively. Contacts 212 couple an AC. power source to a solenoidvalve SVFR5 which in turn controls the line selector fluid pressureactuator CFR6. All of the air valves are of the type which will be inone position when the solenoid is actuated and which will automaticallyreturn to a normal at-rest position when the solenoid is de-energized.As illustrated in FIG. 10, valves SVF-1 and SVR-l have two outlets; theyproduce one output when energized and another when de-energized. Thesame is true for valves SVF-S, SVR-3, and SVR-S. Valves SVF-d and SVR-4produce fluid pressure outputs only in one position. Air is suplied tovalves SVF-S and SVF-4 through a common manifold F12. A like manienemas7 fold R12 distributes air from high pressure source P to valves SVR-3,SVR- t-, and SVR-S.

The pressure actuators CPS and CR are controlled by mechanicallyoperated air valves MVP-5 and MVR-5 respectively. These valves MVP-5 andMVR-S have operating plungers 229, each of which is normally in extendedposition under the influence of a spring (not shown) contained withinthe valve housing. When the valves are in this normal position, theysupply air to the actuators CPS and CR5 in a direction so as to extendthe piston rods 154. When the plungers are depressed, the valves directair to the same actuators in a direction to retract piston rods 154. Asseen in FIG. 6, valve MVP-5 is positioned on supporting surface 144 sothat its plunger 22% will be engaged and depressed by the front carriage114 when the latter is in withdrawn position, i.e., when the piston rodof actuator CF i is extended. When front carriage 114 is shifted byactuator CF4 toward its associated conveyor C2, plunger 22% will bereleased. As a result, valve MVP-5 will be actuated so as to causeactuator CFS to extend its piston rod 154, whereby to separate fingers164. Valve MVR-S is similarly located with respect to the rear carriage114. Thus, operation of both actuators CPS and CR5 is determined byoperation of actuators CF4 and CR4 respectively.

In the illustrated embodiment, variable timer T1 is set to produce anoutput one second after its input is received and variable timer T3 isset to produce an out put one-half second after its input is received.The settings of timers T1 and T3 are not required to be changed fordifferent bottle sizes. The setting of timer T2 varies according tobottle size and conveyor speed. In the usual case timer T2 has a settingof about two seconds.

FIGS. l3 illustrate the sequence of operations. In these figures eachbottle positioner has ten fingers 164. Accordingly, the associatedreceptacles will total ten instead of six as shown in PEG. 6.

Starting with FIG. 10, it will be observed that both bottle positionersare disposed with their fingers 164 in bottle intercepting position. Atthe same time both positioners are extended, their fingers being spacedapart so as to locate the bottles beneath the discharge ports 74 and 76of the receptacles. Also in FIG. 10, the line selector vane 26 is set todivert articles to bottles Bl. At the same time only stops C1 2 and CR2are in bottlestopping position.

Assume that fifty articles are to be deposited in each A bottle B1, andthat conveyor 2 and feeder vibrators 1d are all operating. As thefiftieth article is deposited in a particular bottle, the upper vane 2-5 associated with the receptacle above the filled bottle will close. Atthe same time the corresponding feeder vibrator will stop and a seriesswitch 175 will close. When the last series switch closes, relay 13f? isactuated, causing time delay relay 182 to operate latching relay 184after a delay of /2 second. When relay 184 is actuated, the lineselector vane 26 will be flipped to its other position wherein it willfunction to divert articles to bottles B2. Timer Til is operatedinstantaneously by relay 1%. The feeder vibrators 14 start operatingagain when T1 is actuated. One second after it is started, timer Tl willcause the top vanes 2 to be flipped back to their original positions soas to start a flow of articles to bottles B2.

The output of timer Tl actuates relay 1% and, when this occurs, currentwill pass through contacts 2% (now closed) to operate valve SVR-ll.Operation of this valve will cause actuator CR4 to shift the rearcarriage il t away from the bottles B1. The latter are then free to movedownstream with the conveyor. As the rear carriage moves back away fromthe bottles, valve MVR-S will cause actuator CR5 to bring the fingers16% close together.

Thereafter (FIG. 11) stops CR1 and CR2 will reverse positions, stop CR1shifting to its extended bottle-intercepting position and stop CR2shifting to its retracted position. They will remain in these positionsfor two seconds as determined by T2, and then they will reverse again(FIG. 13). In the selected embodiment this is ample time to advance anew set of bottles from stop CR2 to stop CR3.

In the intervening time stop CR3 will be operated so as to be inposition to intercept a new set of bottles (FIG. 12). Stop CR3 willremain out for one-half second, and during this time normally closedrelay 198 will open, causing valve SVR-l to reverse itself so as tocause actuator CR4 to shift the rear carriage 114 toward the new set ofbottles. The fingers 164 will be in position between the bottles (FIG.13) when stop CR3 is released. Of course, movement of carriage 114toward the new set of bottles results in release of plunger 220 of valveMVR-S. Accordingly, the actuator CR5 will immediately move the fingersapart so as to allow the new bottles to assume the desired spacing, eachbottle ending up directly beneath an orifice 74. The new set of bottlesthen will be ready for filling and the various elements will be in thesame positions as they were at the start of the operating cycle (FIG.10). The cycle is repeated when bottles B2 on conveyor C2 have beenfilled.

It is to be noted that stops CR1, CFl, CR2, and CFZ can be shiftedparallel to the conveyors so as to obtain proper spacing for differentbottle sizes. Similarly the spacing between the fingers can be changedby shifting the block 156b along piston rod 154. It is to be noted alsothat stops CR3 and C1 3 may be incorporated in the bottle positioners,as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

in FIGS. 7 and 8 the bottle positioner is identical to the frontpositioner shown in FIG. 6, except that 1) it is adapted to position tenbottles instead of six and (2) the last or downstream-most pin has beenreplaced with solid block 226 on the end of which is secured a hollowtube 228 having an extendable pin 23th which is normally held inretracted position by a suitable spring (not shown) contained withintube 228. Air is supplied from valve SVF-d (or valve SVR-4 for the rearbottle positioner) through a flexible hose 232 and a section of metaltubing 23 i. The latter is connected to and supported from the pistonrod 154- by a suitable bracket 236. When air is introduced to tube 228,pin 234 will be forced out into bottle-intercepting position, asindicated in dottled lines in FIG. 7. Hence, pin 23a functions both asthe downstream stop CF3 (or CR3) and also as one of the bottlepositioning pins 164,.

Three other features are to be noted. These features make it possible toadjust for different bottle sizes without changing, removing, or addingparts.

First of all, conveyor belt 2, all of the guide members 4 and 6, chutes3, feed troughs iii, hoppers 12, vibrators f4, compartments 22, andphotocell units 3d are mounted as a single assembly on a common chassis25f) which can be cranked up or down relative to a supportingcabinetlike structure 252 which incidentally may provide storage spacefor electrical and electronic units such as counters lift} and relaystilt), 182, etc. Up and down movement is accomplished by means of aplurality of telescoping jacks, one of which is shown at 25% (FIG. 1).

Secondly, a pair of adjustable longitudinally-extending bottle guidesare associated with each of the conveyors Cl. and C2. The guides forconveyor C1 are identified at 26% and 262 in FIGS. 3 and 6. The guidesfor conveyor C2 are identified at 264 and 266. The inner guides 26f} and2&4 are movable toward and away from each other CF2, CR3, CR1, CR2, CR3are mounted on the outer guides 262 and 266.

Thirdly, the horizontal supporting surfaces 144 are attached to theouter guides 262 and 266. This is best seen in FIG. 3 which shows aportion of the rear supporting surface 144 attached to guide 262. Inpractice the rear and front supporting surfaces 144 are attached toguides 262 and 266 by a screw and slot arrangement whereby surfaces 144can be moved longitudinally upstream or downstream parallel to theconveyors.

It is believed to be apparent that the foregoing three features make itpossible to adjust for bottles of various heights and diameters. Makingthe compartments 22 moveable up and down allows for differences inbottle height; making guides 260, 262, 264 and 266 moveable laterallypermits bottles of different diameters to be centered on the conveyor;and making horizontal surfaces 144 moveable longitudinally relative tothe outer guides 262 and 266 permits shifting of the bottle positionersso that their first fingers 164, i.e., the fingers carried by the twostationary blocks 156a (FIG. 6), will locate their bottles directlybeneath the two outlets 74 and 76 of the first compartment 22. Theremaining fingers will automatically locate their bottles beneath theircorresponding compartments 22.

Of course, still other modifications and changes may be made withoutdeparting from the principles or spirit of the present invention andwithout sacrificing any of the attendant advantages such as speed,versatility, reliability or economy. Accordingly, it is to be understoodthat this invention embraces all of the variations, modifications andsubstitutions which naturally occur to persons skilled in the art andthat it is not to be limited or restricted except as provided by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for simultaneously filling a plurality of containers withselected articles comprising a plurality of receptacles each open at thetop and bottom, means for placing a like plurality of containers belowsaid receptacles with each container in position to receive articlesfalling out of a different receptacle, means for discharging articlesinto the top ends of said receptacles, a first vane in each of saidreceptacles, said first vanes movable between a first position whereinthey prevent articles from falling out of said receptacles and a secondposition wherein they allow articles to fall out of said receptacles, a

second vane in each of said receptacles, said second vanes movablebetween a first position wherein they direct articles from saidreceptacles into said containers and a second position wherein theydirect articles from said receptacles away from said containers.

2. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said first vanes are movableindependently of each other.

3. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said second vanes are movabletogether.

4. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 further including separate means formoving each of said first vanes to said first position when apredetermined number of articles has been discharged from the receptaclein which said each first vane is located.

5. Apparatus as defined by claim 4 wherein said separate means aresolenoids.

6. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 further including means connectlngsaid second vanes whereby they are movable as a unit, and means formoving said second vanes from said first position to said secondposition when a predetermined number of articles has been dischargedfrom each of said receptacles.

7. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 further including means for countingthe number of articles discharged into the top ends of said receptacles,and means responsive to said counting means for separately moving saidfirst vanes and means responsive to said counting meansforsimultaneously moving all of said second vanes.

8. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for dischargingarticles into said receptacles comprises a supply hopper, an endlessbelt conveyor for transporting articles away from said hopper anddischarging said articles into said receptacles, a plurality of chutespositioned to receive articles from said hopper and direct them ontosaid belt conveyor in separate streams, and a plurality of pairs ofparallel guide members positioned above said conveyor in close proximitythereto for channeling said streams of articles so that each streamdischarges into a different receptacle.

9. Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for dischargingarticles into said receptacles comprises individually operable means forfeeding articles in separate streams, each stream directed to adifferent receptacle.

No references cited.

1. APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FILLING A PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS WITHSELECTED ARTICLES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF RECEPTACLES EACH OPEN AT THETOP AND BOTTOM, MEANS FOR PLACING A LIKE PLURALITY OF CONTAINERS BELOWSAID RECEPTACLES WITH EACH CONTAINER IN POSITION TO RECEIVE ARTICLESFALLING OUT OF A DIFFERENT RECEPTACLE, MEANS FOR DISCHARGING ARTICLESINTO THE TOP ENDS OF SAID RECEPTACLES, A FIRST VANE IN EACH OF SAIDRECEPTACLES, SAID FIRST VANES MOVABLE BETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREINTHEY PREVENT ARTICLES FROM FALLING OUT OF SAID RECEPTACLES AND A SECONDPOSITION WHEREIN THEY ALLOW ARTICLES TO FALL OUT OF SAID RECEPTACLES, ASECOND VANE IN EACH OF SAID RECEPTACLES, SAID SECOND VANES MOVABLEBETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WHEREIN THEY DIRECT ARTICLES FROM SAIDRECEPTACLES INTO SAID CONTAINERS AND A SECOND POSITION WHEREIN THEYDIRECT ARTICLES FROM SAID RECEPTACLES AWAY FROM SAID CONTAINERS.